Korea Customs Service to Discipline Employee Suspected of Negligence... "Conclusion Within This Month"

Im Jae-hyun, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service
Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The Korea Customs Service has launched an inspection into customs officers suspected of 'neglecting duty.' This is effectively a disciplinary process. They plan to complete personnel actions according to related procedures within this month.

On the 4th, Lim Jae-hyun, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, held a press briefing at the Government Sejong Complex and said, "The ongoing inspection will be conducted as swiftly as possible," adding, "Once the results are out, disciplinary and personnel actions will be taken against the involved employees and responsible parties within this month."

Earlier, on the 2nd, JTBC reported footage showing Incheon Airport international mail customs officers playing games or watching videos on their phones during hours when they should have been preventing smuggling of drugs and other contraband, raising suspicions of neglecting duty. The footage is known to have been recorded over about five months by an internal whistleblower.

Regarding this, Commissioner Lim stated, "Other hardworking employees would not want to see 'protecting one's own' happen," and added, "We will ensure that there is no talk of 'turning a blind eye' or 'light punishment' at the very least." There is also a possibility that severe disciplinary measures will be applied depending on the inspection results.

Furthermore, to revamp the personnel of the problematic department, Commissioner Lim added that personnel exchanges may be conducted as early as this week. Follow-up measures such as improving the working environment will also be implemented.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.